Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Mar 1996
Comparative StudyExperience with zinc protoporphyrin as a marker of endogenous iron availability in chronic haemodialysis patients.
Ferritin and the percentage of transferrin saturation (TS) are established parameters with which to evaluate endogenous iron availability during treatment of renal anaemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo). Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) has been proposed as another valid marker in this setting. ⋯ We conclude that beyond the border of manifest storage iron deficiency, defined as a ferritin < 30 ng/ml in male and < 15 ng/ml in female patients, ZPP and TS cover different ranges of functional iron deficiency which is reflected in the lack of a correlation of ZPP to any other of the above-mentioned parameters. Our data suggest that a TS < 20% as a diagnostic, and thus intervention, criterion in the evaluation of functional iron deficiency and iron substitution beyond manifest storage iron deficiency might result in overestimation of iron requirements. It remains to be shown in a longitudinal study, also reflecting the course of haemoglobin and the mean rHuEpo dose, whether ZPP or TS is the more appropriate parameter in the evaluation of functional iron availability.